Month: June 2024

Thank God for Work & Retirement

Making sense out of life isn’t easy
as the preacher of Ecclesiastes
thinks his way through what he
has seen and experienced in life.
Every enterprise he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth, has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises that God indeed
appoint the times & purposes of life.
But his insight fades as he focuses
on the futility of life under the sun
and overlooks the One who alone
can put life into a meaningful whole.

Lord, we give thanks in all things:
Every man should eat & drink and
enjoy the good of all his labour
it is the gift of God (Eccl 3:13).
Do not be rash with your mouth…
Let your words be few…
When you make a vow to God,
do not delay to pay it (Ecc 5:2-4).
It is good and fitting… to enjoy
the good of all his labour in which
he tolls under the sun all the days
of his life which God gives him…
As for every man to whom God
has given… wealth, and rejoice
in his labour – this is the gift of God
For… God keeps him busy with
the joy of his heart (Eccl 5:18-20).

Lord thank You for blessing us
with work in this disruptive age.
Grant us divine wisdom & strength
to solve problems that may crop up.
Help us whatever we do at work that
we do it with all our heart unto You.
May the work we do and the way
we do it bring smile to all we come
in contact with and bring You glory.
Grant us grace at work and ministry.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Lord, Thank You for the gift of
weekend when we can recreate.
Thanks for leave & season where
we are not assigned many tasks
and that’s Your gift of rest to us.
And thanks in times of weariness,
we can find Rest & Strength in You.
For in returning we shall be saved
& in quietness shall be our strength.
And guard our mouth O God and
prompt us to keep our vows. Amen.

Lord, thank You for the opportunity
to step aside from the hustle and
bustle of work and the opportunity
to enjoy a slower pace of life.
Thank You for the blessing through
my working career and pray for 
continued favour in retirement.
May I live the rest of my days in
close fellowship with You Lord
even as I purpose to do Your will.
Open new horizons to serve You
in ways that will bless many and
bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Thank God for Best Friends (Jun 18)

Making sense out of life isn’t easy
as the preacher of Ecclesiastes
thinks his way through what he
has seen and experienced in life.
Every enterprise he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth, has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises that God indeed
appoint the times & purposes of life.
But his insight fades as he focuses
on the futility of life under the sun
and overlooks the One who alone
can put life into a meaningful whole.

Lord, thank You for Threefold Cord:
Two people can accomplish more
than twice as much as one; they
get a better return for their labour.
If one person fall, the other
can reach out and help…
And on a cold night, two under
the same blanket can get
warm from each other.
But how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered
by another, two can withstand him.
And a threefold cord cord is not
quickly broken (Eccl 4:9-12) Amen

Father God, we give thanks for
those who mean so much to us:
Those with whom we can talk and
keep nothing back, knowing they
wont laugh at our dreams & failures.
Those who by their warning held us
from mistakes we might have made.
Above all we thank for Jesus Christ
Lord of our hearts and Saviour of our
souls, in whose name we pray. Amen

Lord, I thank You for the friends
You have brought into my life:
For those who bring joy & laughter;
For those who bring insight to me;
For those who bring comfort & care;
For those who bring inspiration
to be what You created me to be;
For those who spured me to be
more than I would have been
without their encouragement.
And thank You God, the ultimate
giver of all good things. Amen.

Lord, grant that my spouse and I
may have understanding love for
each other and be filled with trust.
Grant us Lord the grace to live with
each other in peace and harmony.
May we bear each weaknesses and
grow from each other’s strengths.
Help us forgive each other’s failings
and grant us patience and kindness.
May the love that brought us
together grow steadily over time
and bring us closer to You. Amen.

God’s Timing Is Best (June 17)

Making sense out of life is not easy.
And this is the problem facing the
preacher as he thinks through what
he has seen and experienced in life.
Every thing he has undertaken
from acquiring wisdom to amassing
wealth has ended in emptiness.
In a sudden burst of emotion the
preacher realises God does indeed
appoint the Times & purposes of life.

Lord, we will Wait for Your Timing:
For everything there is a season,
a time for every purpose
under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
A time to be born & a time to die…
A time to weep & a time to laugh…
A time to keep and a time to
throw away… A time to keep
silence and a time to speak (v2-7).
He has made everything beautiful
in its time. He has also set eternity
in the hearts of men; yet they
can’t fathom what God has done
from beginning to end… There is
nothing better for men than to be
happy and do good while they live.
That everyone may eat and drink
and find satisfaction in all his toil
– this is the gift of God (v11-13).

Lord, You’re sovereign & do things
at Your time to achieve Your plan,
including moulding our character.
Pray for grace not to extend the
gruelling waiting time. Enable me
be honest to recognise inner flaws;
and in Your mercy, remove defects
that keep me trapped in self will.
Grant me a character makeover so
that I can represent You well. Amen.

Lord, as human beings, we have a
keen sense of having the right time
in sharing advice or exciting news.
But when it comes to talking to God,
we tend to expect You to answer our
prayers or reveal Yr Will right away.
Waiting is hard and we don’t always
know how to interpret the rhythm of
our dialogue. Grant us patience to
wait & watch for Your words. Amen.

Lord, I realise Your Timing is not
the same as mine. I want all the
answers to my prayers right now;
but You want me to be patient
and wait on You. So I lay down
my concerns before You Lord and
leave the outcome in Your hands.
Help me to rest in the knowledge
that Your timing is perfect, just as
everything You do is perfect. Amen.

The Lord Directs Our Plans

Backgrounder on Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace with others,
commit to godliness in motives
and thots, tongue & temper as
well as plans, paths and pursuits.

Lord, You will Direct our Plans:
People may be pure in their
own eyes, but the Lord examines
their motives. Commit to the Lord
whatever you do, and He will
establish your plans (Prov 16:2-3).
When the ways of people please
the Lord, He makes even their
enemies live at peace with them…
We can make our plans, but the
Lord determines our steps (v7-9).
He who heeds the word wisely
will find good, and whoever
trusts in the Lord, happy is he…
We may throw the dice but the Lord
determines how they fall (v20,33).

Lord, You want us to submit our
plans to You for approval before
we act; for in this way, we show our
love for You and submission to You.
Forgive us that sometimes we make
plans without consulting You God
for we simply want our own way.
Grateful You are so keen in my life
that I can talk to You when I want.
Thank You Lord for helping me to
set plans and establish them. Amen.

Loving Lord, we thank You God
that You are always carefully
managing the details of our lives.
Your purpose always prevails,
 even        though we’re prone to forget
that & may make our own plans.
But then the Lord Determines
and directs the steps of the godly
towards a good outcome. Amen.

Lord, we tend to like to throw the
dice, taking control of things and
looking to You as our last resource.
And we may go to You because
we really have nowhere else to go.
But in Your mercy, cause us to learn
that storms of life have driven us,
not upon the rock, but to goodness.
Help us Lord to Heed Your Word
and Trust wholly in You so that we’ll
be glad with good outcome. Amen.

Adoring God thru Thanks & Praise

Godly living in an ungodly world
is no simple task. But the book
of Proverbs (the Bible’s primer of
practical wisdom) teaches skilful application of truth to everyday life.
Contained in this unique collection
of poetry, parable and wise maxims
are instructions regarding how
to relate to parents and children,
God and government, sin and self.
And Solomon gives readers a divine handle on living to please God.

On Monday, we learn from Prov 3 to
Thank God for Rewards of Wisdom.
On Tuesday, we learn from Prov 8
that God Rewards those who Seek.
On Wed, we learn from Prov 15
that God Hears and Gives Word.
On Thursday we learn from Prov 16
that the Lord Directs Our Plans.
On Friday, we learn from Prov 23
that God Gives Hope for the Future.
On Saturday, we learn from Prov 30
that God Is both Wise and Brilliant.

Let us humble ourselves and pray
and seek His face. Help us O God
be Christ’s disciples who Adore You:
For You are worthy of our Thanks
as You Reward Seekers & Followers;
for You are worthy of our Praise
as You are both Wise & Brilliant;
for You Give Word, Direct Our Plans
as well as Cast Hope for the Future;
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

God Is Wise & Brilliant (Jun 15)

It’s rare to hear anyone admit
to ignorance but Agur does that.
Yet with his questions about nature,
he leads the reader to understand
something of God’s brilliance
in contrast to the limits of human
understanding. The capstone of
the book of Proverbs is provided
by Lemuel, which praises the virtues
of a godly mother (P30) & wife (P31)

Lord, we will Put our Trust in You:
I am too ignorant to be human,
and I lack common sense. I have
not mastered human wisdom
nor do I know the Holy One.
Who holds the wind in his fists?
Who wraps up the oceans?
Who has created the whole world?
Tell me if u know! Every word of God
is pure; He is a shield to those who
put their trust in Him (Prov 30:2-5)
Lord, we will Be Contented:
O God, I beg two favours from You…
First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty
nor riches! Give me just enough
to satisfy my needs. For if I grow
rich, I may deny You and say:
“Who is the Lord?” And if I am
too poor, I may steal & thus insult
God’s holy name(Prov 30:7-9)
If you have been foolish in exalting
yourself, or if you have devised evil,
put your hand on your mouth (v32).

Lord, thank You for Proverbs 30
that contains wise words on
Gratitude to God for protection
and providing all that we need.
You’re the key to Wisdom for there’s
limit to human understanding.
Help us to Apply Your Truth;
help us to Put Trust In You;
help us to Be Contented; and
grant us Wisdom & Courage. Amen.

Lord, who holds the wind and the
oceans? It is You Almighty God!
You still the wind with Your voice.
You orchestrate the changing
of the seasons. And it is You who
created me and give me purpose
in life. Look into my heart & make
me a willing instrument in Yr hand
trusting You. For it is not about
our abilities, it’s all about You God
who does great things. Amen.

Lord, thank You that You care for
us and that You are Jehovah Jireh,
the one who provides all our needs.
Help us to Be Contented with what
You give us so that we do not fall
into temptation & dishonour U God.
For our materialistic culture creates
dissatisfaction with what we have.
Help us Lord to depend on You
rather than in constant pursuit of
saving and spending more. Amen.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hc7_GLCRLkIkttl

God Gives Hope for the Future

The final 11 chapters of Proverbs
contains sound counsel for those
in positions of authority. And Prov
22-24 contain wise counsel for
anyone in position of responsibility
including parents and pastors.
Leaders need to know God’s
precepts if they are to direct
their charges into God-honouring
paths of conduct and character.

Lord, You promise Hope for Future:
Do not let your heart envy sinners
but always be zealous for the fear
of the Lord. There is surely a Future
Hope for you, and your hope will
not be cut off (Proverbs 23:17-18).
Hear my son and Be Wise;
and guide your heart in the Way…
Listen to your father who begot you
& don’t despise yr mother (v19-22).
Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and
understanding… Let your father
and your mother be glad (v23-25).

Lord, grant me Your revelation
and flood my heart with Your light
that I need. Help me to see not
just my present trouble but the
future You have planned for me.
Your Word assures me that
those who Hope in the Lord
will have a wonderful future.
Grant me Lord the faith to cling to
Your promise; and in Your mercy
let it come to fruition. Amen.

Lord, grateful that You’ve planned
a future and a hope for my life.
Because of Your power and Your
faithfulness, I know that nothing
in my life is outside Your control.
Let my hope be firmly grounded
in Your unchanging character.
Draw me to seek You earnestly;
and lead me to submit to Your
Way and will for my future. Amen.

Lord, grant me wisdom to live by
Your truth so that I will have a life
of peace, blessing and happiness.
I pray to have the wisdom that
protects and saves me from evil
as well as guides and enables
me to make the right decisions.
Along with that, help me to live
with understanding and discipline
which bring glory to You. Amen.

The Lord Directs Our Plans

Backgrounder on Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace with others,
commit to godliness in motives
and thots, tongue & temper as
well as plans, paths and pursuits.

Lord, You will Direct our Plans:
People may be pure in their
own eyes, but the Lord examines
their motives. Commit to the Lord
whatever you do, and He will
establish your plans (Prov 16:2-3).
When the ways of people please
the Lord, He makes even their
enemies live at peace with them…
We can make our plans, but the
Lord determines our steps (v7-9).
He who heeds the word wisely
will find good, and whoever
trusts in the Lord, happy is he…
We may throw the dice but the Lord
determines how they fall (v20,33).

Lord, You want us to submit our
plans to You for approval before
we act; for in this way, we show our
love for You and submission to You.
Forgive us that sometimes we make
plans without consulting You God
for we simply want our own way.
Grateful You are so keen in my life
that I can talk to You when I want.
Thank You Lord for helping me to
set plans and establish them. Amen.

Loving Lord, we thank You God
that You are always carefully
managing the details of our lives.
Your purpose always prevails,
even though we’re prone to forget
that & may make our own plans.
But then the Lord Determines
and directs the steps of the godly
towards a good outcome. Amen.

Lord, we tend to like to throw the
dice, taking control of things and
looking to You as our last resource.
And we may go to You because
we really have nowhere else to go.
But in Your mercy, cause us to learn
that storms of life have driven us,
not upon the rock, but to goodness.
Help us Lord to Heed Your Word
and Trust wholly in You so that we’ll
be glad with good outcome. Amen.

Backgrounder to Proverbs 14-17:
Nowhere is wisdom more essential
than in community relationships.
A heart attitude controlled by
the fear of the Lord is the key to
proper response towards others.
To promote peace, prosperity and
justice in interpersonal relationships,
commit to godliness, in thoughts &
motives as well as temper & tongue.

Lord, we will Humble Before You:
The Lord detest the sacrifice of
the wicked, but the prayer of the
upright Pleases Him (Prov 15:8).
Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with advisors they Succeed.
A man finds joy in giving
an apt reply – and how good
is a Timely Word ! (v22-23).
The Lord is far from the wicked but
He Hears prayer of the Righteous…
The ear that Hears the rebutes
of life will abide among the wise…
The fear of the Lord is the
instruction of wisdom; and
before honor is humility (v29-33).

Father, I am grateful that You see
me as righteous just because of
my relationship with Lord Jesus.
But I know You also want me to
choose to live righteously as well.
Grant that my thoughts, words
and actions will always be pleasing
in Your sight so that my prayers
will be pleasing to Your ears.
And enable me every day to do
what’s right in Your sight. Amen.

Lord, give me discernment to
know what advice is godly advice;
then help me make good decision.
Lord, You are the master of
timely words and circumstances;
Help me recognise Yr voice in them.
As I grow older, help me to be
a godly advisor who can offer
wise & godly counsel to others.

Lord, help us adopt the posture
of a child who is humble, open
to rebuke and open to instruction.
For You promise that those who
are humble will be the greatest
in Your kingdom. Help us to be
gentle & lowly in heart as You are
And we pray that our humble faith
and service will accomplish great
things for Your kingdom. Amen.